Guardian Music — We all have our own favourite seasonal songs. Mine work for a bleak midwinter – and for a profound, optimistic oneI've made it a rule that I can only start playing my favourite Christmas songs after 5 December, even if the supermarket ads have alre... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — PopMatters offers a couple of streaming (and downloadable) holiday mixes. The Wham City Collective is sharing its annual Baltimas holiday album compilation. David Sedaris reads from The Santaland Diaries at Morning Edition. Yesterday's updates to the... more info

Muzjiks — Sorry this is late, but better than never. The Knocks are a electro duo that I have become very fond in the last few months. They write great dance tunes, perform live, and make great remixes. This is their 2nd or 3rd single (not sure what actuall... more info

Mjsbigblog — Simon Cowell: ‘It’s Not George Michael’ New reports say former Wham! frontman George Michael has been offered a judging spot on the US version of “The X Factor.” But “Extra’s” Terri Seymour spoke exclusively to Simon... more info

Guardian Music — Brixton Academy, LondonRecord labels consider guitar rock to be neither big nor clever at the moment, but a sampling of the genre's past, present and (possible) future was on display at Xfm's seventh annual Winter Wonderland show. The once indie-mind... more info

Pop Crunch — One holiday shopper’s soundtrack is another’s kryptonite: “Last Christmas,” British pop group Wham!’s hit 1984 single about unrequited love during the holidays, has been annointed the Most Annoying Christmas Song of All-Time in a poll of Bu... more info

Topix — Bulgarians have named Wham's "Last Christmas" the most annoying Christmas song ever. more info

USA Today Music — Bulgarians have named Wham's Last Christmas the most annoying Christmas song ever. more info

Mjsbigblog — The Christmas songs continue their march to world domination. Glee itself has contributed 4 songs to the onslaught and all four of them reached a miletsone of some sort this week. First up to bat is the Wham! classic “Last Christm... more info

Pop Crunch — George Michael is being considered for judge’s chair on Simon Cowell’s American adaptation of The X Factor, but the Wham! singer’s checkered past with the law — including a recent jail stint for drunk driving — could put the deal in jeopard... more info